Sky Sports has scored a great live exclusive, nabbing live coverage of all 24 teams during the first round of the European rugby union Heineken Cup.

Each of the first four rounds will see up to 12 live ties across Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Sky Sports HD channels, on the red button and on Sky Go.

On Friday, October 11 Northern Irish team Ulster will do battle with Premiership winners Leicester Tigers, Irish team Connacht face off against London’s Saracens and French side Toulouse lock horns with Italy’s Zebre.

Read Recombu Digital’s guide ‘How can I get Sky Sports?’Across the weekend, Edinburgh will play against Munster and the Ospreys against RaboDirect PRO12 champions, Leinster on Saturday. On the Sunday, Heineken Cup champions Toulon welcome Glasgow Warriors as defence of their title begins.

Gus Williamson, executive producer, Sky Sports rugby union says: “This summer has been fantastic for rugby union fans and now the Lions have returned victorious, we can’t wait for the exciting new European season to start. The opening weekend is going to be immense with all twenty four teams shown live. Add this to an unprecedented schedule from the international and domestic game and it’s going to be an incredible rugby season for Sky Sports viewers.”

Derek McGrath, ERC chief executive adds: “The Heineken Cup has once again thrown up an intriguing series of high-quality fixtures for the coming season, and the expertise of Sky Sports, along with our other broadcast partners, is a major factor in the promotion of the tournament both across Europe and to a wider global television audience.”

Every Sunday of the tournament, Sky Sports News will also present a European Rugby Special, providing analysis and highlights of the weekend’s games.